Cloth take-up mechanism for looms



Dec. .5, 1944. J. w. JONES CLOTH TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed April 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet l Joluz, "(Jones 3% WWW W Dec. 5, 1944. J w. JONES 2,364,534

CLOTH TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR LOOMS Filed April 15, 1944 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 5, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,364,534 CLOTH TAKE-UP MECHANISM FOR LooMs John W. Jones, Greenville, S. C.

Application April 15, 1944, Serial No. 531,159

Claims.

My invention relates to looms and has more particular reference to improvements in the cloth take-up mechanism for looms.

As is well known, the conventional loom has a cloth take-up mechanism. This mechanism includes a cloth roll, upon which the cloth is wound as woven. This cloth roll is rotatably mounted upon vertically movable racks or supports, slidably mounted upon vertical guides. The racks engage pinions, rigidly mounted upon a horizontal shaft, journaled in bearings secured to the guides. A torsional coil spring surrounds the shaft and has one end thereof fixedly attached to the shaft. The opposite end of this spring is attached to a gear or worm wheel, which is rotatably mounted upon the shaft but incapable of moving longitudinally thereof. This worm wheel is turned by a worm. The cloth, as it is woven, is passed about a take-up or sand roll and is then wound upon the cloth roll. As the diameter of the wound roll of cloth increases, the cloth roll moves downwardly, shifting the racks downwardly and turning the pinions in opposition to the action of the coil spring. When a desired amount of cloth has been wound upon the cloth roll, the rotatable shaft is manually turned to release the tension upon the spring so that the wound roll of cloth descends and is doffed. After this operation, a new cloth roll is applied to the upper ends of the racks and the shaft manually turned in an opposite direction to place the spring under tension and this spring again raises the racks and moves the cloth roll adjacent to or in contact with the take-01f or sand roll.

As stated, this apparatus embodies reciprocatory racks, engaging pinions. At their lower ends, these racks are held within fixed brackets and mesh with the pinions. Due to the wear between the racks and the fixed brackets, and also due to the wear between the rotatable shaft carrying the pinions and its bearings, it frequently happens that the rack or racks move from the pinions sufficiently to get out of mesh therewith. When this occurs, one pinion may fail to properly elevate its rack, which will resultin slack being produced in one longitudinal selvage edge of the fabric. Further, when this occurs, the spring may violently turn the shaft and strip the teeth of the pinions or rack.

In accordance with my invention, I provide an attachment which may be applied to the guide adjacent to each rack. This attachment includes an adjustable pressure element to engage the rack and shift the same toward the pinion and hold the rack and pinion in mesh. The invention further comprises an attachment preferably secured to the lower portion of the rail of the loom frame adjacent to each end of the rotatable shaft. This attachment will engage the shaft and shift the same toward the rack, when the bearing of the shaft is worn, and this will also serve to retain or aid in retaining the rack and pinion in mesh.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the cloth takeup mechanism, as viewed from the front end of the loom,

Figure 2 is a vertical section taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1, parts broken away,

Figure 3 is an exploded perspective view of the rack engaging attachment embodying my invention,

Figure 4 is a view similar to Fig. 2 showing a modified form of rack engaging attachment,

Figure 5 is a horizontal section taken on line 5-5 of Figure 4,

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 2, showing a further modified form of rack engaging attachment,

Figure 7 is a horizontal section taken on line l1 of Figure 6. i

The loom frame comprises sides l0, connected at their top by a breast beam H, and at their bottom by a horizontal rail I2. The numeral [3 designates vertical guides, arranged between the breast beam l I and the lower rail 12 and rigidly secured thereto. These vertical guides have vertical racks l4 slidable thereon and'movable longitudinally thereof. These racks extend through openings formed in the rail l2, when they move downwardly. At their lower ends, the racks l4 operate within fixed brackets l5, rigidly secured to the sides I3.

A cloth roll I6 is rotatably and detachably mounted upon the upper ends of the racks M. The cloth when woven is attached to this cloth roll 16 and is wound into a roll. Arranged above the cloth roll I6 is a take-up or sand roll [8, about which the cloth passes, prior to being wound upon the cloth roll Hi.

The numeral [8' designates a horizontal rotatable shaft, journaled in bearings l9, formed upon the vertical sides l3. The shaft l8 has pinions 20 rigidly secured thereto. These pinions are arranged to mesh with the racks I 4. Theshaft l8" has a collar 2| clamped thereto, having one end of a torsional coiled spring 22 fixed to the collar. This coil spring surrounds the shaft I8 and has its opposite end attached to a worm wheel 23, rotatable upon the shaft l8, but incapable of moving longitudinally thereof. The worm wheel 23 is engaged by a worm wheel 24, suitably mounted upon the rail l2, and the worm wheel 24 is turned by a crank 25.

As the size of the roll of cloth on the cloth roll I6 increases in diameter, such roll of cloth is moved downwardly by virtue of its engagement against the sand roll l8. This downward movement of the cloth roll l6, moves the racks l4 downwardly, which turn the shaft [8, in opposition to the spring 22. When the desired amount of cloth is wound into the cloth roll upon the roll IS, the worm wheel 23 is turned to release the tension upon the spring 22 and the cloth roll IE will move downwardly until it reaches the notches 26, at which time the cloth roll [8 is dofied. A new cloth roll I6 is now applied to the upper ends of the racks l4 and the worm wheel 23 is turned to place the spring 22 under tension and the spring will turn the shaft l8 in the direction to raise the rack bars l4 and return the cloth roll l6 into proximity to or engagement with the sand roll. IS. The take-up mechanism thus shown and described is conventional and is substantially the same as that shown in Patents 610,636, 1,029,756, and 2,226,277.

My invention comprises an attachment to force the rack l4 toward its pinion and to hold these elements in mesh. One attachment is arrangedadjacent to each rack l4.

One form of attachment comprises a strap 23 which is longitudinally bent to conform to the curvature of the guid l3. This strip is positioned upon the inner face of the guide l3 and is provided at its upper end with a reduced extensionor tail 21, rigidly secured thereto and arranged at a right angle to the same. This tail or extension 21 passes outwardly through a longitudinal slot 29 which is formed in the guide [3, in accordance with the original construction of the guide. The strap 26 has a longitudinal opening or slot 30 formed therein, receiving a clamping bolt 3|, also extending through the slot 29. It is thus seen that when the bolt 3| is tightened up, the strap 26 is clamped to the guide I3, and the tail 21 will positively hold the strap against swinging movement upon the bolt 3|. At its lower end, the strap 26 has a lateral extension 32, projecting inwardly at a right angle to the strap. This lateral extension is apertured for receiving a bolt 33, extending through a longitudinal slot 34, formed in an adjustable pressure element 35. This pressure element is U-shaped and has two ends 36, either of which may be brou'ghtinto engagement with the rack I4. It is thus seen that when the pressure element is properly adjusted, it will press against the rack l4 and move it toward the pinion 20, holding these elements in proper mesh, thus compensating for the wear which has occurred between the bracket l5 and the rack I 4.

The invention may be in the form of a further attachment, comprising a U-shaped holder 31, adapted to be applied to the edge of the guide I 3 and to be clamped to this guide by a set screw 38. This U-shaped holder is provided upon its inner side with a horizontal apertured knuckle 33, receiving a bolt 40, and this bolt extends through an elongated slot 4|, formed in an ad- J'ustable pressure element 42. This pressure element 42 is preferably U-shaped and has heads or ends 43, either of which'may be brought into 'ment 42.

engagement with the rack l4. By adjusting the pressure element 42 its end 43 will press against the rack l4, and in turn shift the rack toward the pinion 20, holding these elements in suitable mesh, and compensating for any wear occurring between the bracket l5 and the rack I4.

I also contemplate directly mounting the pressure element upon the guide l3, in which event the strap 26 and the holder 31 would be dispensed with. A hole 44 would then be drilled in the guide I3 and a bolt 45 passed through this hole and this bolt would extend through a longitudinal slot 4| in the U-shaped pressure ele- This pressure element 42, Figure 7, is then adjusted so that either end 43 will press against the rack and hold the sam in proper mesh with the pinion 20.

The numeral 46 designates L-shaped pressure elements disposed inwardly of and near the pinions 20. These pressure elements include vertical arms 41 and horizontal arms 48. The vertical arms .41 engage the side of the shaft l8 remote from the racks I4. The horizontal arms 48 have longitudinal slots 49, to receive bolts 50, secured to the rail l2. pressure elements 46 are adjustable to force the shaft l8 toward the racks l4, thereby holding the racks and pinions in proper mesh or aiding in doing the same. These pressure elements will compensate for the wear between the shaft l8 and the bearings l9.

It is thus seen that I have provided adjustable pressure elements which engage the racks and force them in one direction toward the pinions with means for clamping the pressure elements in the selected adjusted positions. I have also provided adjustable pressure elements which move the rotatable shaft in an opposite direction toward the racks with means to clamp these pressure elements in the selected adjusted positions.

It is usually advantageous or necessary to use they rack engaging pressure elements with the shaft engaging pressure elements, but some degree of success may be had by using either set of pressure elements alone.

It is to be understood that the forms of my invention herewith shown and described are to be taken as preferred examples of same, and that various changes in shape, size, and arrangement of parts may be resorted to, without departing from the spirit of my invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. In cloth take-up mechanism for looms, an upstanding guide having'a longitudinal slot, an upstanding rack engaging the guide, a pinion mounted upon the lower portion of the guide upon one side of the rack to mesh therewith, a strap disposed upon the opposite side of the rack remote from the pinion and provided with a laterally extending tail to enter the longitudinal slot and having a longitudinal slot, a bolt to pass through the longitudinal slots of the guide and strap, a lateral extension carried by the strap, a pressure element having a longitudinal slot and arranged to engage with the rack, and a bolt carried by the lateral extension and extending through the longitudinal slot of the pressure element.

2. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide having a longitudinal slot, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising, a strap provided at one end with a It is thus seen that the lateral extension to enter the slot of the upstanding guide, said strap having a longitudinal slot and a second lateral extension, a bolt to enter the longitudinal slot of the strap and to engage the upstanding guide, a pressure element having a longitudinal slot, and a bolt carried by the second lateral extension and passing through the longitudinal slot of the pressure element, the pressure element being arranged to engage with the rack and hold the same in mesh with the pinion. I

3. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising, a U-shaped holder to engage over the edge of the upstanding guide, means to clamp the holder to the guide,

an apertured knuckle secured to the holder, and an adjustable pressure element having a longitudinal slot, and a bolt passing through the apertured knuckle and the slot, said pressure element being arranged to engage with the rack and hold the same in mesh With the pinion.

(l. A device for use in connection with-cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide having an opening, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising, a strap provided with a lateral extension to enter the opening of the upstanding guide, said strap having an opening and a second lateral extension, a bolt to be passed through the opening of the strap and to engage With the upstanding guide, a pressure element having a longitudinal slot, and a bolt carried by the second lateral extension of the strap and passing through the longitudinal slot of the pressure element, the pressure element being arranged to engage with the rack and hold the same in mesh with the pinion.

5. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide having an opening, a pinion and a rack engagin the pinion, said device comprising, a strap provided with a lateral extension to enter the opening of the upstanding guide, said strap having an opening and a second lateral ex tension, a bolt passing through the opening of the strap and adapted to engage with the upstanding guide, a pressure element, and a bolt securing the pressure element to the second lateral extension of the strap, the pressure element bein arranged to engage the rack and hold the same in mesh with the pinion.

6. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising, a U-shaped holder to engage over the edge of the upstanding guide, means to clamp the holder to the guide, an apertured knuckle secured to the holder, a pressure element mounted upon the apertured knuckle, and a bolt extending through the apertured knuckle and engaging the pressure element to secure the same to the apertured knuckle, the pressure element being arranged to engage the rack and hold the same in mesh with the pinion.

7. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising, a supporting member interfitting with the upstanding guide, means to clamp the member to the guide for retaining the'interfitting relation, a pressure element having a longitudinal slot, and a bolt carried by the supporting member and passing through the longitudinal slot to adjustably secure the pressure element to the supporting member, the pressure element being arranged to engage with the rack and hold th same in mesh with the pinion.

8. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, a supporting member interfitting with the upstanding guide, means to clamp the supporting member to the guide for retaining the interfitting relation, and an adjustable pressure element mounted upon the supporting member, the pressure element being arranged to engage the rack and hold it in mesh with the pinion.

9. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide, a pinion and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising a pressure element having a. longitudinal slot, and a bolt carried by the upstanding guide and passing through the longitudinal slot, the pressure element being adjustable to engage the rack and hold the rack in mesh with the pinion, said bolt being adjustable to clamp such element in the selected adjusted position.

10. A device for use in connection with cloth take-up mechanism for looms including an upstanding guide, a lower horizontal rail, a horizontal shaft above the rail, a pinion mounted upon the shaft and a rack engaging the pinion, said device comprising an L-shaped pressure element having. horizontal and vertical arms, the horizontal arm having a longitudinal slot, a bolt carried by the horizontal rail and passing through the slot to clamp the horizontal arm to the rail, the vertical arm engagin that side of the shaft remote from the rack, a supporting member, means to clamp the supporting member to the upstanding guide, a, pressure element having a longitudinal slot, and a bolt carried by the supporting member and passing through the longitudinal slot and adapted to clamp the pressure element to the supporting member, the last named pressure element engaging that side of the rack remote from the pinion.

JOHN W. JONES. 

